University of Minnesota Athletics
Banham Breaks B1G Career Record in Loss
2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Rachel Banham scored 52 points and broke the Big Ten career scoring record in the Golden Gophers' loss at No. 25/22 Michigan State. After an early 19-point deficit, Banham helped Minnesota (18-9, 10-6 Big Ten) rally to take a lead before falling 114-106. Minnesota took its first lead early in the third quarter after outscoring the Spartans (20-7, 11-5 Big Ten) 31-17 in the second.
Banham passed Penn State's Kelly Mazzante (2001-04) in the conference record book and has 2,921 for her career. She also broke her own season record for 3-pointers. She made nine in East Lansing to bring her season total to 97.
Aerial Powers had 40 points for the Spartans. Michigan State surged back ahead after Minnesota's brief lead early in the third.
The Gophers shot 47.2 percent, but the Spartans shot 54.5 percent, including a 62.5-percent fourth quarter to fend off Minnesota's final comeback attempt. The Gophers ended up with advantages in fastbreak and second-chance points, while the Spartans outrebounded Minnesota 44-33 and scored more points in the paint.
Carlie Wagner scored 20 points for the Gophers and Joanna Hedstrom added 16, including a trio of 3-pointers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter: Michigan State led 16-11 at the media timeout, with six second-chance points and 18 points in the paint giving it the advantage. The Spartans went on a 10-run to go up 28-14, and led 37-18 before Banham hit a half-court shot to make it 37-21 at the buzzer.
Second Quarter: The Gophers mounted a furious comeback in the second quarter. They went on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 39-29 three minutes into the quarter. Later in the period, Banham and Joanna Hedstrom drained 3-pointers after Minnesota offensive rebounds. Banham scored 18 points in the quarter, including a 7-of-8 free throw performance, and had 26 at the break. She again ended a quarter with a 3-pointer, making her fifth of the game from the corner to make it 54-52, Spartans, at the half.
The Gophers limited the Spartans to two points in the paint and two second-chance points in the second. Powers had 22 first-half points for Michigan State. Minnesota had 15 second-chance points in the opening half.
Third Quarter: Shayne Mullaney gave the Gophers their first lead of the game with a transition 3-pointer. Minnesota led 59-57 at the 7:54 mark. The teams traded the lead a few times before Michigan State went back up 80-64 with about two minutes to go. Minnesota trailed 84-71 at the end of three.
Fourth Quarter: Minnesota cut the lead to six, but Michigan State shot 62.5 percent in the period and did not let the visiting team get closer.
MORE NOTES
*Wagner's first basket of the game, a 3-pointer, gave her 500 for the season. The Gophers now have three consecutive seasons with multiple 500-point scorers, as Banham has 742 this year.
*No Gopher had scored 50 points before Banham did so twice this year, and no Gopher had scored 40 points since Lindsay Whalen in 2002 before Banham did so twice this year. Banham notched her sixth 30-point game of the season, the 20th of her career.
*Banham joined Shayne Mullaney (531) in the career 500-assist club. She had seven Sunday and has 506 as a Gopher.
*The Gophers have scored 100 or more points five times this year, and 90 or more points nine times.
UP NEXT
The Gophers will return to Williams Arena for their home finale against Ohio State on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. The game will include recognition for seniors Rachel Banham, Mikayla Bailey and Shayne Mullaney.
